Macquarie Point changed my mind says Tassie AFL team doubter Kane Cornes

Port Adelaide 300-gamer Kane Cornes says his Mac Pt stadium site experience “made the hair on my neck stand up”. Here’s why

2015 Showdown 38 at Adelaide Oval. Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide Power. Kane Cornes after a wingard goal in the last quarter. Photo Sam Wundke

KANE Cornes was a sceptic but now is “inspired” after visiting Macquarie Point this week to inspect the site for the future home of Tasmania’s AFL team.

In Hobart as guest speaker at the 42nd annual Bill Sorell Sports Lunch at Wrest Point, attended by 500 footy lovers on Friday, Cornes had been on the fence about Tasmania joining the AFL but is now a believer.

Bill Sorell Sports Lunch – more than 500 people attended the 42nd annual event at Wrest Point. Picture James Bresnehan

Cornes, 40, could feel the passion of the people for the Tasmanian AFL team and “it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up” and the Macquarie Point stadium would bring the city to life.

“I was inspired,” Cornes said.

“Until you come here and see it, you can’t picture the location and the way the people are going to get behind it.

Bill Sorell Sports Lunch – Port Adelaide premiership player Kane Cornes was guest speaker at the 42nd lunch. Picture James Bresnehan

“I’m in a rush now for it to happen, and pretty quickly.

“I can’t wait. It’s going to be amazing for the game and more importantly for the people of Tasmania.”

The 300-game two-time all-Australian, now full-time media commentator, had his doubts Tasmania could make it work.

“I always thought the state deserved a team,” he said.

“But it was more about logistically how you would do it and would there be a stadium and when it would come in and the extra week off that you would have with a 19th team,” Cornes said.

AFL Round 13 match between Port Adelaide and Sydney at AAMI Stadium – Kane Cornes and Jude Bolton

“I had a few queries but they have all been answered pretty reasonably.”

Macquarie Point stadium can do for Hobart what Adelaide Oval has done for the South Australian capital.

“Games were played at Football Park but when they redeveloped Adelaide Oval and brought games to the city, it brought Adelaide to life,” he said.

“I can’t imagine what it was like before the teams [Port Adelaide and Adelaide] were playing there.

“A Tassie team will bring the state to life and it will do great things for junior footy, not only for the men but also for the women, because the AFLW team is going to be really important.

“It’s important to get that stadium built and start playing the first games here.”

In presenting Tasmania’s hockey superstar Eddie Ockenden, co-captain of the Kookaburras, with his Sports Personality of the Year Award, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said football was about communities.

“It’s the heartbeat of so many Tasmanian towns and it’s about our future generations as well, our young boys and girls, and opportunities and ambitions for them,” he said.